2.  The body of government officials who are employed in civil occupations that are neither political nor judicial.  In most countries the term refers to employees selected and promoted on the basis of a merit and seniority system, which may include examinations.

3.  The term civil service has two distinct meanings: ◦ A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations ◦ The body of employees in any government agency other than the military

4.  A civil servant or public servant is a civilian public sector employee working for a government department or agency

5.  Civil servants – servants of the Crown who are permanent (they do not change with a political change of government)  The Civil Service helps the Government of the day to develop and deliver its policies as effectively as possible.

6.  The Civil Service provides services directly to people all over the country, including:  paying benefits and pensions  running employment services  running prisons  issuing driving licences  Civil servants work in a wide range of areas that touch on everyone’s day-to-day lives, such as education, health and policing.

7.  The Civil Service incorporates three types of organisations – departments, agencies, and non-departmental government bodies (NDPBs).

8.  Some departments, like the Ministry of Defence, cover the whole UK. Others don’t – the Department for Work and Pensions doesn't cover Northern Ireland. This is because some aspects of government are devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.  Non-ministerial departments are headed by senior civil servants and not ministers. They usually have a regulatory or inspection function like the Charity Commission.

9.  These are part of government departments and usually provide government services rather than decide policy - which is done by the department that oversees the agency.  An example is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (overseen by the Department for Transport).

10.  These have varying degrees of independence but are directly accountable to ministers. There are 4 types of non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs): executive, advisory, tribunal and independent bodies

11.  Executive NDPBs do work for the government in specific areas - for example, the Environment Agency.  Advisory NDPBs provide independent, expert advice to ministers - for example, the Committee on Standards in Public Life.  Tribunal NDPBs are part of the justice system and have jurisdiction over a specific area of law - for example, the Competition Appeal Tribunal.  Independent monitoring boards are responsible for the running of prisons and treatment of prisoners - for example, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons.

12.  The Civil Service does not include government ministers (who are politically appointed), members of the British Armed Forces, the police, officers of local government or NDPBs of the Houses of Parliament, employees of the National Health Service (NHS), or staff of the Royal Household.

13.  Civil service is co-ordinated and managed by the Prime Minister, in his role as Minister for the Civil Service.

14.  Civil Service is concerned with the conduct of government activities as they affect the community  From formulating policy to carrying out day- to-day duties of public administration

15.  The duty of a civil servant is first and foremost to the Minister in charge of the Department concerned  The Ministers answer to Parliament  Duties do not involve political work  Civil servants are politically impartial

16.  As civil service is accountable to the public, the highest possible standards are needed, such as:  integrity - putting the obligations of public service above personal interests  honesty - being truthful and open  objectivity - basing advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence  impartiality - acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving governments of different political parties equally well

17.  Recruitment and examination is carried out by the Civil Service Commission  About half of all civil servants provide public services (paying benefits and pensions, collecting taxes and contributions, running employment services…)  The rest in other services (central administration, support services…)

18.  Recruitment is based on the principle of selection on merit by fair and open competition  Individual government departments and agencies are responsible for providing staff training  Departments are responsible for promotion, but promotion to the most senior positions is approved by the Prime Minister

19.  The Government is committed to acheiving equal opportunities – policies to develop career opportunities for women, ethnic minorities and the disabled

20.  The Diplomatic Service has its own grade structure  Staff in Foreign&Commonwealth Office and at British diplomatic missions overseas  Special demands of the service (the duty to serve abroad)

21.  Civil servants must perform loyally the duties assigned to them by the Government regardless of their political or other beliefs  There are no restrictions on the private activities of civil servants if there is no conflict with official duties

22.  Each department is responsible for their own internal security  Civil servants cannot be associated with activities that threaten national security

23.  Whitehall is the central London street on which many ministries sit. Whitehall is therefore often used as a by-name to refer to the executive branch of Government, and particularly the civil service

24.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhqOGW FTc8E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhqOGW FTc8E